Hydraulic bomb lift truck



July l5, 1952 H. R. SODERSTROM HYDRAULIC BOMB LIFT TRUCK Filed Nov. 28, 1949 :VVT

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 15, 1952 H. R. soDERsTRoM 2,603,369

HYDRAULIC BOMB LIFT TRUCK Filed Nov. 28, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 #Ime/vins July 15 1952 H. R.` soDERsTRoM 2,603,369

HYDRAULIC BOMB LIFT TRUCK Filed Nov. 28, 1949 July 15, 1952 H. R. soDERsTRoM HYDRAULIC BOMB LIFT TRUCK 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 28, 1949 Juy l5, M952 H. R. soDERsTRoM HYDRAULIC BOMB LIFT TRUCK 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1949 HVVENTUR.

Juy l5, i952 H. R. soDERsTRoM HYDRAULIC BOMB LIFT TRUCK 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed NOV. 28, 1949 Patented July 15, 1952 irs Harry R. Soderstrom, Wichita, Kans., assgnor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the United States Air lForce Application November 28, 1949, Serial No. 129,789

9 Claims. l

This invention relates to bomb lifts and particularly to lifts for handling bombs of extremely heavy Weight and large dimensions.

' The principal object of the invention is to provide a bomb lift by means of which a bomb of the order of twenty or more tons and ranging from as much as thirty-two to fifty-four inches in diameter and one hundred twenty inches from nose to center of gravity of the bomb, may be taken from the ground, transported to a loading place, raised into the bombbay of an aircraft then shifted axially or transversely, rolled on its axis or tilted nose up or nose down in small amounts as required to bring the shackles by means of which the bomb is to be hung into proper position for releasable fastening.

This object is accomplished by mounting on a large specially constructed truck one lifting means near the rear end for raising the bomb oif the ground and a second lifting means near the front end which may be moved under the bomb after it has been raised a sufficient distance off the ground. The first lifting means is adapted for vertical movement only, while the second lifting means is constructed and arranged to first raise the bomb into the bomb bay then move the bomb in small amounts in any one of a number of directions to facilitate the bringing together of the engaging parts of the shackles. Additionally the device is constructed and arranged for ease in dismantling for transportation to a distant seat of operations.

Advantages and meritorious features will become evident as the invention is described in greater detail, reference being had to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the bomb lift, which is the subject of this application, shown with the frame of the lift astride the bomb which is to be lifted, the initial lifting beams and the transporting beams being shown in position and the main lift beingstored at `the front of the trunk where it is kept locked in position when it is not being used to load the bomb on to an aircraft.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken at 2-2 of Fig. l1 but with the transporting beams removed and the initial lifting beams in place on the ends of` the pistons with slings or straps extending from one end of an initial lifting beam down and around the bomb and back to the other end of the initial lifting beam, the dotted lines indicating the position of the bomb and the apparatus after the bomb has been lifted some distance oi the ground. Y f l Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken at 3-3 of 2 Fig. 1 showing the transporting beams in place on, and supported by, the side rails of the truck frame. the sling being removed from the initial lifting beams which are now in their home position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the complete bomb lift shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the main lift assembly drawn to an enlarged scale as viewed from the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section ofthe main lift carriage, andv its transverse adjusting means as seen from the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

' Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the main lift shown in Fig. 5, part being broken away to show the top surface of the main lift carriage. A

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the rolling and tilting cradle, which is carried on the top of the main lift, viewed from the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view ofthe means provided for making minorlongitudinal adjustments of the main lift.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the entire hydraulic system employed inthe operation of the lift herein disclosed.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, the main frame Ii) consists of right and left tubular side members I2 connected together at the front end only by a cross member I4. The tubular side members I2 are each made in two parts joined by flanges I6, the front end of each side member being formed first upward then inward as shown, then joined to the cross member by a second pair of flanges I6. The anges being joined together by bolts I5, permitseasy disassembling of the truck frame for transportation to a distant seat of operations. Moreover, by placing solid discs of suitable thickness between the two anges of a joint and between the two flanges of a spaced apart joint as at I'I and I9, a hydraulic storage tank is provided. Rails 2| are provided along the inside of the side members I2 for moving a main lift 23 from a stored position into position under the bomb. A carriage lock 25 (see Fig. 1) is provided for holding the main lift in the stored position.

The rear ends of the side members I2v are provided with forked rear wheel supports I8 each p having rotatably mounted therein a rear wheel whereby the front wheel 26 is mounted both for rotation and for turning about a Vertical axis. Tow bars 28 are hinged to tow bar brackets 30 which extend from the forked wheel support 22. A tow ring (not shown) on the end of the tow bar provides attaching means by which the truck may be pushed, pulled or guided.

Except by the front cross member |4, the side members |2 are not otherwise permanently connected together. This construction permits the truck to be backed astride the bomb as seen in Fig. 1.

Near the rear end of the main truck frame are four relatively small initial lift cylinders 34, two on each side member i|2 to which they are permanently secured preferably by welding. These cylinders may appropriately be .called ythe initial lift cylinders since they may be operated to initially lift the bomb high enough to vall-ow the main lift to be moved along the tracks 2| to a position under :the bomb. Each .cylinder v34 is provided with an .initial lift y'piston 3 6 whichxis 'vertically slidable therein.

To carry out the initial lifting operation, two initial lift beams 38 are provided and arranged crosswise of the frame, the ends of the beams having openings which fit over 'integral dowels 39 on the upper ends of the pistons. Strap steel slings 40 are adapted to be passed under the bomb and the free ends fastenedto thelift beams by the chain ends 4| (see Fig. 2).

For transporting the bomb the transport lbeams 42 are provided, the outerrends resting on the tracks 2| and the space intermediate being provided with chocks 44 :movable vto dierent posi- J tions for holding bombs of different :diameters (see Fig. 3). Retaining pins .4.5 hook in `'back -of the rails to prevent movement of the transportbeams 42 transversely Vof the truck frame.

AThe main lift 23, Fig. 1, is mounted on a car- -riage 48 (see Fig. 5) having four legs 5c with a roller 52 at the end of each leg positioned for rolling along .the rails 2i carrying 'the lift 2-3from its stored position shown in Fig. l to its operating position centered vaxially and transversely with the four initial lift vcylinders 34, this position of the main lift being under the center of gravity of the bomb.

The main lift 23 comprises fourtelescopingcylinder sections 54, S, 58and160 each section except the lowerxnost section 54 acting rvas a piston for the cylinder section rnextbelow it. The lower section 54 is provided with a rectangular Yflange 62 which rests on and is slidable over the upper surface 04 of the carriage and is guided for Vtransverse movement of the flange with respect to the carriage by gibs S6 which vare retained by the screws 61. The rectangular flange 02 is positioned a short distance from the rupper end of the cylinder section 54. An oval opening 58 in the carriage 48 permits transverse movement of the lower cylinder section 54 ywith respect to the carriage. Opposite horizontally ydisposed cylinders are permanently secured to the carriage 48 by screws 1|, andpistons 12 are slidable in the cylinders 10 .and `have their free ends abutting bars T3 which lie against the lower cylinder vsection 54, thus providing a means for hydraulically moving the lower cylinder section 54 and with it its flange 62 and the remaining cylinder sections 56, 53 and 60 transversely of the truck frame by sliding the flange 6.2 backward or forward in the gibs 66 (see Fig. 6). Cylinders 'l0 may be appropriately designated transverse control cylinder.

A pair of small cylinders 14 having pistons 16 are rigidly fastened one to each side member |2.

and so positioned thereon that when the mainr lift 23 is rolled rearward on the rails 2| to its lifting position, yokes 'I8 hinged on brackets 'I9 which extend upwardly from the cylinders 10 may be swung into a position with the free end 80 in ka groove inthe end of piston 'l5 '(see Fig. 9). With the yoke 'l0 thus positioned, limited longitudinal adjustment of the main lift may be had by hydraulic manipulation of the pistons 1S. Cylinders 14 may properly be called the longitudinal adjustment cylinder.

The cradle 0|, which is provided at the upper end .of .the main lift for holding the bomb and tilting it nose up or nose down or rolling it on its axis, comprises a lower platen 82 rigidly aliixed to the upper end of the top cylinder section 60,

an upper platen 84 positioned above the platen 82, the lower platen 8.2 having upwardly extending concave yways 8S and the upper platen 34 Vhaving downwardly 'extending convex ways slidably fitted to the concavedways 85. T-shaped ribs formed along the edge of the waysv 86 are slidable in T slots 90 formed in the ways 88 thus holding the ways 36 and t0 in sliding engagement (see Fig. 8) y Tilting cylinders 92 are carried on the .underside of the lower platenEZ and an elongated piston 94 is slidable in both cylinders. Piston |l4 has a vertical notch 96 which receives the lower end of a lever 98 which is fastened to lthe ,side of the way SS by bolts |00, whereby movement of the piston 92 tilts the upper platen 84 .forward or backward.

Brackets |02 extend upwardly from the upper platen 84 to provide bearings for .the shafts |04 which carry rollers |05 at the outer v.ends upon which the bomb rests as it is being elevated. A small motor |08 which may be called the roll motor drives one of the shafts |04 by means of a chain drive ||0, whereby the bomb maybe rotated on its axis through any desired angle. The driven chain Sprocket is preferably friction driven so that the sprocket may slip on the .shaft upon being overloaded.

By reason of the main lift cylinder being in several sections, the cradle -8| on the top of the main lift may be rotated manually cn its verticalaxis.

The hydraulic system by means of which the several units of the device are operated is best illustrated by the hydraulic flow diagram Fig. 10. Y The tank |.|2 which is part of thev right-hand side member I2 has a filler cap at ||.4. Four electrically operated pumps ||6 draw hydraulic iiuid from the tank ||2 through a filter ||8.and

. discharge it through check valves |20 into a manifold |22. A short conduitl24 connects the manifold |22 back to the tank ||2 Athrough a manually controlled relief valve |26. An accumulator |28 and a pressure actuated electric switch |30 are in pressure communication with the manifold |22. The accumulator |28 is of sumcient capacity to permit minor hydraulic shifts to be made after the pumps are shut off. The relief valve |26 is provided primarily to relieve back rpressure when the pumps are beingprimed. The switch |30 is so adjusted that when the pressure in the manifold |22 exceeds a predetermined value the switch will momentarily discontinue operation of the electric pumps IS starting them again when the pressure drops to orV below .the predetermined value. A high pressure supply line |32 extends from thevmanifold |22 to the high pressure side of a pressure actuated relief valve |34, the low pressure side of the relief valve |34 being connected to the tank ||2 by a low pressure return line |36. Relief valve |34 is installed at the end of the high pressure supply line principally to prevent too high pressure build-up in case the pressure actuated electric switch should malfunction.

At the forward end of the left side member I2 (see Fig. 1) is a control valve cabinet |38which contains the control valves provided for directing the hydraulic fluid to the various motors and cylinders for performing the intended functions of the lift. The bodies of the valves are substantially alike each having four flow openings which, to facilitate description are numbered anticlockwise|,2,3and4.

Referring now to the initial lift control mechanism, the initial lift control valve has its flow opening permanently in-ow communication with the high pressure supply line |32, and its flow opening 3 permanently in communication with the low pressure return line |36.

When the initial lift control valve |40 is now operated to a position which places opening in flow communication with 2, and opening 3 in ow communication with 4, high pressure fluid will be directed through initial lift supply pipe |42, through ilow divider fluid motors |44, through pipes |46, |46', |46, |46" into the lower ends of initial lift cylinders 34. As the initial lift pistons 36 rise, the hydraulic iiuid from the upper ends of the cylinders is forced upward through pipe |48 and across flow openings 4 and 3 of the initial lift control Valve |40 back through low pressure return line |36 to the tank ||2.

If the initial lift control valve |40 is next operated to a position which places opening in flow communication with 4 and opening 2 in flow communication with 3, high pressure fluid will be directed through pipe |48 into the upper ends of initial lift cylinders 34, thereby forcing the initial lift pistons 3B downward and the iluid under the piston backward through pipes |46, |46', and |46", flow divider motors |44, pipe |42, across flow openings 2 and 3 of the initial control valve |40 back through low pressure return line |36 to the tank. The four flow divider motors are geared together to insure equal iiow to and from each of the initial lift cylinders 34 and therefore equal movement, up or down, of the initial lift pistons 36.

Referring now to the main lift mechanism, a main lift control valve |52 has its flow opening permanently in communication with the high pressure supply line |32; and its ow opening 3 permanently in communication with the low pressure return line |35.

When the main lift control valve |52 is now operated to a position which places opening in flow communication with opening 2, high pressure fluid will be directed through the main lift supply pipe |54, to the lower end of the main lift cylinder assembly |55 While if opening 2 is connected to 3 the weight of the cylinder assembly will force the fluid backwardly through pipe |54 to the low pressure return pipe |36 and back to the tank ||2. A second main lift control valve |52 is provided and connected in parallel with the rst merely to increase the flow capacity, both valves |52 and |52 being operated coincidentally by the same lever on the outside of the control valve cabinet |38 (see Figs. l and 4).

With respect to the mechanism for moving the main lift cylinder assembly |56 transversely of 5 the main lift carriage 48, a transverse adjustment valve v|08 has ow openings and 3 connected respectively to the high pressure supply line |32 and low pressure return line |36, while flow openings 2 and 4 are connected respectively to the front and rear transverse adjustment cylinders l0. Obviously if the mechanism of the control valve |58 connects flow openings to 2 and 3 to 4, movement of the .pistons will both be in one direction, while if it connects to 4 and 2 to 3, the pistons will both move in the other direction. The space between the two transverse adjustment pistons l2 is closely taken up by the rectangular bar 13 against which the ends of the pistons 12 act.

For adjusting the mainv lift carriage axially, the vtwo axial adjustment cylinders 'I4A are lcontrolled by. the axial adjustment valve |60. Valve |60 has flow openings and 3 in flow communication with the high pressure supply line |32 and the low pressure return line |36,'respectively, openings 2 and 4 being in flow communication with opposite ends of the axial adjustment cylinders 14. The valve |60 is operable to two positions one for joining flow openings I to 2 and 3 to 4 for coincidentally moving both pistons 'I6 axially in one direction and the other joining flow openings to 4 and 2 to 3 for coincidentally moving both pistons 'i6 axially in the other direction.

A valve |62 controls the tilting of the cylinder 92 whereby the bomb may be tilted nose up or nose down as desired. The pistons 94 of opposite cylinders 92 are connected together to move as one. Flow passages and 3 are in communication with the high and low pressure lines respectively and flow passages 2 and 4 are in communication as shown with the outer ends of cylinders 32. Setting the valve so that it will join flow passages to 2 and 3 to 4, will move the pistons one direction while setting it to join to 4 and 2 to 3 will move them in the other direction. Movement of the pistons acting on levers 98 will rock the convex ways 38 in the concave ways 86.

The roll motor |08, which is provided for rotating the bomb on its axis, is hydraulically operated and is controlled by the valve |64. Flow passageways and 3 are connected across the high and low pressure line while 2 andv 4 are connected through the motor. Connection by the valve of to 2 and 3 to 4 operates the motor in one direction while connecting to 4 and 2 to 3 operates Vit in the other direction.

The operation of the lift is substantially as follows:

(l) The bomb is placed no the ground on clearance blocks two to three inches thick. (2) The truck is backed Aastride the bomb with the approximate center of Agravity of the bomb centered over the four initial lift cylinders 34. initial lift beams 38 are placed atop the initial lift' pistons 36. (4) The slings 4B are passed under the bomb and secured to the initial lift beams 38. (5) The initial lift control valve |40 is now manipulated to raise the bomb several feet from the ground. (6) If the bomb is to be transported on the truck before loading in an airplane, the transport beams 42 are laid with their ends on the rails 2| and the initial control valve |40 manipulated to lower the initial lifting beams 38 until the bomb rests on the transport beams 42. (7) The bomb is transported to the place of loading in the airplane. (8) The valve |40 is manipulated to raise the bomb olf the trans- (3) The 7 port beams 42 and the transport beams 42 are removed. (9) The main lift 23 is rolled rearward on the rails 2| until its vertical axis is on the approximate center of gravity of the bomb. With the main vlift control valve |52, the

.bomb is hoisted into the bomb bay, then the valves |60 and |58 are employed for making bers and a single cross member joining said side Vniembersat the forward end, a .rear roadA wheel rotatably supported on thev rear end of each side member, a front road wheel supported on Asaid cross member mounted for rotation and for pivoting on a vertical axis, said rear road wheels and said side members being spaced slightly wider apart than the transverse measurement of the bomb which is to be lifted, whereby the truck may be backed over the bomb while said bomb is lying on the ground, lifting means for lifting said bomb off the ground carried in xed position on said side members, and a second lifting means movable along said side members to a position under said bomb after it has been lifted off the ground by said first lifting means.

2. The device of claim 1 with rails extending along the inside of said side members and track Wheels supporting said second bomb lifting means rollable on said rails whereby said second bomb lifting means may be rolled on said track under the center of gravity of said bomb.

3. The device of claim 2 with the initial lift consisting of four single lifts two xed on each of said side members with two initial lifting beams joining opposite fixed lifts.

4. The lifting device defined in claim 1 wherein the said side members are tubular and are made in several separable lengths, flanges on the ends of said lengths joining the lengths together, and flanges on the forward ends of said side members and the ends of said cross member in a plane normal to the iirst said ilanges joining said forward ends of said side members to said cross member, whereby the frame of said lifting device may be disassembled for transportation.

5. The device of claim 4 with discs clamped between spaced apart pairs of flanges to compose a 'hydraulic fluid storage tank between said spaced apart pairs.

6. The combination, in a bomb lifting device of a truck which includes a frame consisting of two elongated side members and a single cross member joining said side members "at the forward end, a rear road wheel rotatably supported on the rear end of each side member, afront road lwheel supported on said cross member mounted for rotation and for pivoting on a vertical axis, said rear road wheels and said side members being spaced slightly wider apart than the diameter of the bomb which is to be lifted, whereby the truck may be backed astride the bomb while said bomb islying on the ground, rails secured along the inner edge of said side members, an initial lifting device comprising opposite lifts fast on .and -extending upwardly from said side members outwardly beyond said rails, beam means extending transversely of the truck and resting on said lifts, means to attach said bomb to said beams to lift said bomb oif the ground,a main bomb lift which includes a carriage roller-mounted on said rails whereby said main lift may be rolled-.along said rails and centered under said initial lift after said initial lift is raised, a bomb support in the form of a cradle at the upper end of saidmain lift, and hydraulic means to actuate said lifts.

7. The device dened in claim -6 wherein the main bomb lift includes means foradjusting the carriage along the rails, means Afor adjusting. the left cylinders transversely of the'carriage, means for rockably adjusting the .bomb supportfor nose up or nose down of the bomb, and means for rotating the bomb on its axis.

43. The device defined in claim wherein all mentioned means are hydraulic means.

9. 'Ihe combination in a bomb lift of the character described of a pair of rails, a main vlift consisting of a series of telescoping cylinders adapted to be controlled by a hydraulic fluid, a carriage movable on said rails in the direction of the bomb axis, cross slide means on the lower cylinder and said carriage for moving said lift transversely of the bomb axis, a bomb Ysupporting cradle on the upper cylinder rockable in the plane of the bomb axis to move the bomb nose-up or nose-down, rectangularly spaced rollers on the four corners of the cradle having their axes parallel with'the bomb axis and positioned to roller-support the bomb,land controllable power means to adjust said carriage along said rails, to adjust said main lift transversely of the bomb axis, to operate said lift, to rock said cradle and to rotatably adjust said bomb on its axis.

HARRY R. SODERSTROM.

REFERENCES CTED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,786,060 Greaves et al Dec. 23, 1930 2,259,558 Evans Oct. 21, 1941 2,298,936 Gambrell Oct. 13, 1942 2,324,817 Bratley July 20, 1943 2,355,341 Trimbach Aug. 8, 1944 2,369,838 Minnis Feb. 20, 1945 2,388,692 House Nov. 13, 1945 2,400,685 Collins May 21, 1945 2,401,881 Petsche June l1, 1946 2,419,813 Berchtold Apr. 29, 1947 2,443,809 Terbcek June 22, 1948 2,479,623 Johnson Aug. 23,1949 2,521,695 Davis Sept. 12, 1950 .FOREIGN PATENTS Number vCountry Date 614,572 Germany May 23, 1935 OTHER REFERENCES Ser. No. 340,618, Magni et al. (A. P. C.), published May 4, 1943. 

